Are there sinful habits you’d like to break? Here are seven Bible-based techniques for breaking sinful habits:
Technique #1: Pray Don’t overlook the power of prayer. James tells us that the “effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Jas 5:16). The word “effectual” comes from the word “energeo” from which we get the word “energy.” James is telling us to pray actively and with energy. The first and perhaps most potent technique for overcoming sinful habits is to ask God for help.
Technique #2: Overcome Evil with Good Paul says in Romans 12:21 to “overcome evil with good. “When you feel the urge to give in to an evil habit, do something good instead. Write a letter of hope to a friend, call and encourage a brother, or visit someone who is sick. In other words, replace your sinful habit with a good work.
Technique #3: Surround Yourself with Good People We’re told “bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). The opposite is also true: “good company corrects bad morals. If you have a sinful habit you’re trying to break, then seek out the company of good people. Let their “goodness” rub off on you.
Technique #4: Confess Your Faults James 5:15 says “confess your sins to one another.” Admittedly, confessing your faults and sinful habits will be difficult. You may be embarrassed by the prospect of others “finding out” about your weakness. But when you confess your failings to others, then they can help look out for you. They can counsel and comfort you as you work to overcome your bad habit.
Technique #5: Make Habits Impossible You may fall back into your sinful habit simply because sin is so accessible! Overcome sinful habits by eliminating or reducing your access to sin. Matthew 18:9 says, “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee…” If you’ve got a bad habit, make it harder to feed the habit! Look for ways to make sinning inconvenient rather than easy.
Technique #6: Think Good Thoughts The urge to feed a bad habit starts in the mind. Fill your mind with righteous thoughts and you’ll reduce the chance that evil thoughts will blossom into sin. Follow Paul’s advice: “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
Technique #7: Take One Day at a Time It takes only two weeks to develop a habit, but it takes months to break one. Don’t despair! Rather than thinking how long it will take and how hard it will be to break the habit, learn to take one day at a time. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Work to stop your bad habit today for “each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:34).
– by Matt Hennecke